Students’ difficulties on solving mathematical problem based on ESD objectives

[摘要] The objective of this study was to analyze students' difficulty on solving mathematical problem based on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) objectives. One of ESD objectives is Clean Water and Sanitation used as context of mathematical problem given beside economic and social context. The method used in this study was descriptive qualitative research. The subject of this study were 34 high school students. They were tested mathematical problem deal with derivatives based on ESD objectives. Polya's problem-solving steps were used to analyze students' difficulties on solving mathematical problems that focus on derivatives. The results showed that students have difficulty in devising a problem-solving plan which related to ESD context when they seek maximum value using the concept of the first derivative algebraic functions and they have error in determining the derivative functions. The conclusion is that students are able to solve mathematical problems but they have difficulties when meet the problem related with mathematical problems in the ESD context. This can serve as a basis for further research on the development of high school mathematics teaching materials based on ESD objectives to improve mathematical problem solving ability.

[学科分类] 物理（综合）